Holders Real 5-6 to rule Europe once again

NO team have ever successfully defended the Champions League trophy but Real Madrid are odds-on to do just that after setting up a final against Juventus in Cardiff on June 3.

Bookmakers rate Real 5-6 favourites to lift the trophy with Juventus at 11-10 and Zinedine Zidane believes Gareth Bale could recover from a calf injury to take his place in a hometown final.

“He is recovering well and there is time for him to be ready for the final,” Zidane told the Real website. “I hope he’s ready before and I hope he can be with us more than anything. We’re a better team when he plays.”

Arsenal are hoping to qualify for next season’s Champions League and Wednesday’s 2-0 win at Southampton gives the Gunners a shot at finishing in the Premier League’s top four.

Arsene Wenger’s side are 5-2 and should they win their last three games (Stoke away, Sunderland and Everton home) it would require 4-11 Liverpool to win at West Ham and then beat Middlesbrough at home.

Match in Focus

11:00 TODAY SSR

Sociedad v
Levante

Home Win

Draw

Away Win

Key stats

Levante have won one of their last 14 fixtures

Expert verdict

Sociedad started the weekend as the fourth-highest scorers in La Liga and their attacking prowess can give them the advantage against fellow strugglers Levante. The free-scoring Basques were 5-0 victors at home to Deportivo in their last home league game and can produce another big performance to avoid any chat about a relegation scrap.